SDB:Switch runlevel

Situation

You want to switch to another runlevel (i.e. a different target unit).

Procedure

The cleanest method to switch runlevel is to use a text terminal (tty). If you are in a graphical mode (like KDE or GNOME) press Ctrl-Alt-F2 (all at the same time) to switch to virtual terminal 2; when you're done use: Ctrl+Alt+F7 to switch back to the graphical desktop.

You should see the computer awaiting your login:

login:

Type

root

and press Enter.

It will then prompt you for root's password:

Password:

Type the password for root and press Enter. Now you are the most powerful user on your computer.

Typing

init 3

, for instance, will change the runlevel to 3, which is text mode with networking.